DURHAM — Duke's All-ACC basketball star Trajan Langdon is back from the World Championships, where he was a member of USA's bronze medal winning team. Langdon did not play much, but says the experience was invaluable.

This was supposed to be a quiet summer for Langdon, including no baseball, limited pick-up games and a perfect time to heal a beat-up body. But when presented with an opportunity to try out for the World Championship team, Langdon knew that his summer vacation might be put on hold.

"It was an opportunity that just doesn't happen often, and probably won't ever happen to me again," Langdon said. "If I didn't take that opportunity to play, I probably wouldn't have another opportunity to do it. It was a chance of a lifetime, and I had to take that chance."

The rising Blue Devil's senior was the youngest player on the U.S. team, and not surprisingly, Langdon found himself more of a spectator than a participant.

"It was difficult," Langdon said. "I think it is the only time, other than when I was hurt, where I have really sat the bench, but it was a great experience. I got the feeling of what it feels like to sit on the bench. I got the feeling of why people transfer. It was definitely humbling, but I did learn a lot."

For example, Langdon gained experience about how to be a leader, a role the soft-spoken player will have to fill this season for the Blue Devils.

Credits

Reporter

Todd Gibson

Web Editor

Jason Darwin

Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.